Relapse in Kala Azar: Failure of Sodium Stibogluconate to Clear Parasites from Organs Other than the Liver

Abstract

Relapse in Kala-azar is a common problem, occurring in 5–30% of patients (Chulay et al, 1983, Sanyal and Arora, 1979). Although this could be attributed to re-infection, there is a strong possibility that it may at least partly be due to treatment failure. Two recent studies suggest that removal of parasites from certain tissue sites may be difficult.